Piano



May 20, 1930. c. w. PRESSLEY PIANO File 1928 2 SheetSSheet 1 May 20,1930. c. w. PRESSLEY PIANO il 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 20,1930 CHARLES WILLIAM PRESSLEY, OF HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA PIANOApplication filed. February 1, 1928.

This invention relates to certain improvements in pianos and a specialobject of the invention is to pro ide a piano having a foldablekey-board and legs so as to require only about half the space nowoccupied by the average piano.

Another special object of the invention is to provide a piano having alarger sound board area.

Another special object of the invention is to provide a aiano having aretractable music supporting device adaptel to cooperate with thefoldable keyboard and therefore will be particularly adapted for use inany situation where economizing of space is important.

Another special object of the invention is to provide a piano with acomplete box brace made of metal to hold the pin block in place; top,sides and bottom steadfast and provided with extra bracing in the backmade in a lyre shape all of which is bolted through and through to thefront.

Another special object of the invention is to provide an improvedcovering over a portion of the key-board so that dust and small objectsused by musicians will be less apt to fall between the toys.

Another special object of the invention is to provide a piano having ametal strip at the top of th pin block in back so it will not yieldforwardly.

Another special object of the invention is to provide a piano that willweight only about two hundred pounds when completed; a piano one man canhandle, and where two can be shipped for the price of one, thus aconservation of space, weight and money.

The invention possesses other advantages and valuable features some ofwhich with the foregoing will be set forth at length in the followingdescription, wherein I shall outline in full the form of invention whichI have selected for illustration in the drawing accompanying and forminga part of the present specification.

Although I shall describe the preferred form of my invention shown inthe drawing and shall specifically mention certain of its more importantobjects, I do not wish to limit 50 myself to the forms disclosed sincevarious Serial No. 251,178.

changes and adaptations may be made therein without departing from theessence of my invention as hereinafter claimed; and objects andadvantages other than those specifically mentioned, may be includedwithin the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1, is a perspective view of my im proved piano showing it in openposition.

Fig. 2, is a perspective View of my improved piano showing it in foldedposition.

Fig. 3, is a perspective view of my improved piano looking toward theback there of and showing the case in folded position.

F ig. 4, is a section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5, is an enlarged view of the upper portion of the aforesaidsection.

Fig. 6, is a perspective view of a portion of the metal box brace andstrap which supports the pin block frame.

The embodiment of the invention selected for the purposes of the presentdisclosure as best illustrating the improvements involved comprises acase 1, of substantially harp shape design having a foldable key-board2, foldable legs 3, 3 of which Fig. 1 perspectively shows thecombination of parts in open position, while Fig. 2, shows the same infolded position.

The foldable legs 8, 3, each have a pivot joint 4L, l. The legs 3, 3include horizontal top and bottom members 13, 13, and 14, 14 swingabletherewith. Said legs also comprise the uprightsupporting pieces bestshown in Fig. 1, which are interposed between the outer end portions ofsaid horizontal pieces, where supports are most necessary.

The foldable key-board 2. includes a plurality of keys 5 and 21, ispivoted at its extremities by a pivot member 6, and when in foldedposition as illustrated in Fig. 2, assumes an upright position. In Fig.2, pin members 9, 9 which engage slots 10, 10, of the foldable legmembers, when the latter are in the extended position and the keyboardis in the operative position, are prominently displayed and illustrate apreferred manner of interlocking the foldable key-board to the uppermembers 13, 13 of the legs 3, 3.

The foldable legs 3, 3 preferably swing in or they may be detached whendesired.

In each of the aforesaid views comprising Figs. 1 and 2 other dominantfeatures hereinbefore referred to are further designated by referencenumerals of which 7 represents the adjustable curtain with its musicsupport 8,11 the roller cover and 12 the auxiliary sound board.

In Fig. 3 is illustrated a rear View disclosing the supportingframework. It comprises a continuous metal frame 26 of rectangular shapeto which is fastened through the medium of the wood members 36 and 27,the sound board 29. i I

This construction is more readily understood by referring'to Figs. land5 showing a section taken on the line H of Fig.

Within the confines of the metal frame 26 is a metallic brace 37 of lyreeffect which "rigidlyholds the metal frame 26 from distortion, as Wellas bracing the entire structure of the piano frame.

Interposed between the top and bottom members of the frame 26 are aplurality of vertical ironstruts or braces 33 screwed thereto and theytogether with the metallic harp brace 37 and iron plate 26 arepenetrated by a cross rod 31 which further establishes the rigidity ofthe frame work. It also aids in producing a lyre effect as well asenhancing the attractiveness of that portion of the case. Just'below thelower member of the frame 26 andfastened thereto is a wood timber 25which runs the entire length of the piano. To this is joined the woodenside timbers comprising the vertical upright members.

Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and'6 the parts shown in section will now bedescribed, the features constituting the invention being clearly broughtout while those parts old and familiar in the art will be only cursorilyalluded to.

The foldable keyboard 2 in Fig. 4: is shown in both opened and closedposition. On the extension of the middle balance rail 6 of the key-boardis the pivot pin 6. The member 2a having a felt covering 23 limits thedownward movement ofthe keys 5.

The pin block 32 composed of hardwood is fastened to the metal frame26by' an iron stirrup 34 having inwardly projecting flanges which arefastened tothe metal frame 26 by screws 35.

This stirrup, (see Fig. 6) keeps the pin b1ock'32 from tilting forwardwhen tension is put in the strings 30, by tightening the pins 28"intothe pin block 32.

Thecurtain music support 7 is adjustable and is similiarly constructedto an ordinary curtain, and comprises a roller 19 having a trunnion 18at each end.

fAt the extremities of the roller 19 which runs the full length of thepiano are provided slots 19 in the side members of the frame which holdthe roller 19 in position.

The roller cover 11 having a pivotal axis 16 is similarly supported in aslot 16. Said cover also runs the full length of the piano and isswingablc upon its pivotal axis.

The pin block .32 is of variable height to form the harp efiect and iscovered with a metal plate 15 as shown in section illustrated in Figs. 4and 5 and further illustrated in Fig. 3. I

The sounding board 29 which heretofore iS the only means for amplifyingthe sound in pianos is augmented in my improved piano wherein I employan auxiliary sound board 12 running the entire length of the piano.

Having thus outlined a preferred form of my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a pivoted foldable keyboardunit, the under surface of which is finished and adapted for displaywhen said keyboard unit is swung upon its pivotal axes from an extendedto an upright position and foldable legs to support said key-board unit.

2. In a piano case simulating a harp, a foldable keyboard unit, a middlebalance rail for the keyboard unit a pivotal support at each extremityof said balance rail and a finished surface adapted for exposure on theunder side of said key-board unit.

3 The combination, with a pair of leg members swingable through ahorizontal plane from a retracted to an extended position; of a foldablekey-board unit having a finished under-surface and pivoted at itsmidwidth to swing about a horizontal axis from an extended to an uprightposition, a roller element mounted above said key-board unit when thelatter is in upri ht position, and a curtain carried by said rolleradapted for vertical adjustment to accommodate itself to the variationin height of the key-board unit when in upright or extended position.

4-. In a device of the character described, a foldable key-board pivotedto swing about a horizontal axis from an extended to an uprightposition, in combination with a pair of leg members swingable through ahorizontal plane from a retracted to an extended position, said legmembers when extended being constructed and arranged to aid insupporting said key-board when the latter is extended, means tointerlock said key-board with said leg members when said key-board andleg members are in operative position, a rollor element mounted abovesaid hey -board when the latter is in upright position, and a curtaincarried by said roller adapted for vertical adjustment to accommodateitself to the variation in height of the key-board when in upright orextended position.

5. In a device of the character described, a foldable key-board pivotedto swing about a horizontal axis from an extended to an uprightposition, in combination with a pair of leg members swingable through ahorizontal plane from a retracted to an extended po sition, said legmembers when extended being constructed and arranged to aid insupporting said key-board when the latter is extended, and a pin andsocket arrangement to interlock said key-board with said leg mem bcrwhen said. key-board and said leg members are in the operative position,said leg members each consisting of horizontal top and bottom pieces andan upright supporting piece disposed between the outer positions of saidhorizontal pieces.

6. In a device of the class described the combination with a key-boardfoldable from an extended to an upright position; of a roller elementmounted above said key-board when the latter is in upright position, anda curtain carried by said roller adapted for vertical adjustment toaccommodate itself to the variation in height of the key-board when inupright or extended position.

7. In a device of the class described the combination with a key-boardfoldable from an extended to an upright position; of a roller elementmounted above said key-board when the latter is in upright position, anda curtain carried by said roller adapted for vertical adjustment toaccommodate itself to the variation in height of the key-board when inupright or extended position, and a shield for said roller covering thesame and that portion of the curtain rolled thereon, said shield beingpivotally supported above said roller.

8. In a device of the class described the combination with a key-boardfoldable from an extended to an upright position; of a roll er elementmounted above said key-board when the latter is in upright position, anda curtain carried by said roller adapted for vertical adjustmenttoaccommodate itself to the variation in height of the key-board when inupright or extended position, said curtain carrying an outwardlyextended music support.

CHARLES WILLIAM PRESSLEY.

